ICT sets 15 Nov for charge-framing hearing against ex-joint secy in crimes against humanity case
Dhananjay Kumar Das was declared a fugitive after failing to surrender, prompting the tribunal to order a state-funded lawyer for his defence.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has set 15 November for a hearing on framing charges against former Public Security Division joint secretary Dhananjay Kumar Das in a crimes against humanity case over the July Uprising.
The tribunal also ordered the appointment of a state-funded defence lawyer for Das, who was declared a fugitive after failing to surrender despite an earlier order.
The tribunal passed the orders today (25 October) after hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence.
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Prosecutor Faruk Ahmed told the tribunal that former home secretary Jahangir Alam, another accused in the case, was in custody, while Das had failed to surrender as directed.
On 6 October, the tribunal ordered the publication of notices in two national dailies asking Das to surrender. He was directed to appear before the tribunal today but did not do so.
The prosecution sought a date for the hearing on formal charges, while the defence lawyer for Jahangir sought two months, arguing that the prosecution had not supplied the necessary documents.
After hearing both sides, the tribunal appointed a state-funded lawyer for Das and fixed 15 November for the charge-framing hearing.
Jahangir was brought to the tribunal from jail by police on Sunday morning and was present during the hearing.
On 27 August, Tribunal-2 took cognisance of the formal charges against both accused. The prosecution submitted the formal charge sheet on the same day.
The prosecution has accused Jahangir and Das of involvement in killings during the July-August Uprising through incitement, abetment and conspiracy under the principle of superior responsibility.
